Analytical Essay for the Crucible by Arthur Miller
Analytical essay for The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an interpretation of the Salem witch trials of 1692 in Puritan Massachusetts in which religion, justice, individuality and dignity play a vital role. These factors define the characteristics of many of the most significant characters in the play. Some of them being John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, Reverend Hale, Danforth and many others. The Salem witch trials were a result of the lack of expression of individuality and the fact that no individual could expect justice from the majority culture as a result of the deterioration of human dignity in the Puritan society of Salem.
The Puritan religion intertwined relation with daily social and state affairs of Massachusetts’s citizens, limited the chance to portray individuality and led to the deterioration of dignity and justice. The majority culture in Salem achieved its dominance by controlling social institutions such as communication, educational institutions, artistic expression, law, political process, and business in this society. The fact that the Puritan church controlled the social aspects of the town set a standard of seriousness that limited the chance to portray any kind of individualism. “We must tell the truth, Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!” (14). Mary Warren demonstrated how severe simple actions can be in this society by telling Abigail that for dancing they would get whipped and is a relative small price to pay compared to arrest and death due to witchcraft. In modern times, dancing is a form of expression of emotions and shows a degree of individuality. At the time of the witch trials, dancing was not moral and is a greatly significant factor because it demonstrates that there are certain standards set for the members of the society that limit and discourage any form of individuality. The standards for individuals in the society are significantly more severe depending on gender.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is an interpretation of the Salem witch trials of 1692 in Puritan Massachusetts in which religion, justice, individuality and dignity play a vital role. These factors define the characteristics of many of the most significant characters in the play. Some of them being John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, Reverend Hale, Danforth and many others. The Salem witch trials were a result of the lack of expression of individuality and the fact that no individual could expect justice from the majority culture as a result of the deterioration of human dignity in the Puritan society of Salem.
The Puritan religion intertwined relation with daily social and state affairs of Massachusetts’s citizens, limited the chance to portray individuality and led to the deterioration of dignity and justice. The majority culture in Salem achieved its dominance by controlling social institutions such as communication, educational institutions, artistic expression, law, political process, and business in this society. The fact that the Puritan church controlled the social aspects of the town set a standard of seriousness that limited the chance to portray any kind of individualism. “We must tell the truth, Abby! You’ll only be whipped for dancin’, and the other things!” (14). Mary Warren demonstrated how severe simple actions can be in this society by telling Abigail that for dancing they would get whipped and is a relative small price to pay compared to arrest and death due to witchcraft. In modern times, dancing is a form of expression of emotions and shows a degree of individuality. At the time of the witch trials, dancing was not moral and is a greatly significant factor because it demonstrates that there are certain standards set for the members of the society that limit and discourage any form of individuality. The standards for individuals in the society are significantly more severe depending on gender.